Longer term clinical and economic benefits of offering acupuncture to patients with chronic low back pain

ISRCTN ISRCTN80764175
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN80764175
Secondary identifying numbers HTA 96/40/07
Submission date
25/04/2003
Registration date
25/04/2003
Last edited
26/08/2009
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Not provided at time of registration

Study website

Contact information

Ms Kate Thomas
Scientific

School of Health Care
University of Leeds
Baines Wing
Leeds
LS2 9UT
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)113 343 5635
Email k.thomas@leeds.ac.uk

Study information

Study designA pragmatic, two parallel group, randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Not specified
Study typeTreatment
Scientific title
Study acronymYACBAC
Study hypothesisAcupuncture is widely used in NHS primary care for a variety of pain related conditions. Evidence of the clinical cost effectiveness of its use in this context is sparse, particularly relating to its longer term effectiveness in the relief of chronic pain. More research is needed to ensure the appropriate use of NHS resources. The proposed study is a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (n=200) to evaluate the longer term clinical and economic benefits of offering acupuncture to patients assessed as suitable for primary care management with reported low back pain of more than four weeks duration. The study aims to test the hypothesis that a population of patients offered traditional acupuncture for chronic low back pain gain as much or more relief from pain as those offered normal management only by their GP, for equal or less cost. The study aims to provide appropriate evidence for future NHS purchasing decisions. The research is a collaboration between a University research department, and accredited Acupuncture College and Research Foundation and a GP consortium. It builds on previously completed work, including a pilot of the outcome measures proposed and the feasibility of the GP referral service to traditional acupuncture treatment.
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
ConditionChronic low back pain
Intervention1. Traditional Chinese acupuncture, up to 10 treatments
2. Standard care offered by GP only
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Relief of chronic pain
2. Cost effectiveness
Secondary outcome measuresSecondary outcomes included the McGill Present Pain Index (PPI), Oswestry Pain Disability Index (ODI), all other SF-36 dimensions, medication use, pain-free months in the past year, worry about back pain, satisfaction with care received, and safety and acceptability of acupuncture care.
Overall study start date12/04/1999
Overall study end date11/05/2003

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants200
Participant inclusion criteriaPatients with low back pain. Age 20-65 years with low back pain or sciatica, greater than 4 weeks and less than 12-months pain this episode
Participant exclusion criteriaPast spinal surgery, severe or progressive motor weakness or central disc prolapse, possible spinal pathology (eg carcinoma)
Recruitment start date12/04/1999
Recruitment end date11/05/2003

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

School of Health Care
Leeds
LS2 9UT
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Department of Health (UK)
Government

Quarry House
Quarry Hill
Leeds
LS2 7UE
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1132 545 843
Email Sheila.Greener@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Website http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03sbpja79

Funders

Funder type

Government

NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme - HTA (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Other publications HTA monograph 01/08/2005 Yes No
Other publications cost effectiveness analysis 23/09/2006 Yes No
Results article main results 23/09/2006 Yes No